Maximum Security Wins Haskell Invitational

For a minute or two, it seemed like deja vu - but at the end of the Haskell Invitational, the Stewards' Inquiry sign flashed on the tote board after the $1 million Haskell Invitational was run this evening.  I held my breath, wondering if another win by Maximum Security would be taken away from from, as the Kentucky Derby victory was.  But, after less than three minutes, the Stewards at Monmouth decided that John Velasquez's quick take-back of King for a Day at the 3/8ths pole did not cause any change  or disruption in the order of finish. 
   It was a very hot day in New Jersey; and the Haskell was scheduled to have a post time of 5:45.  After running the first two races on the schedule, it was decided to cancel all races, except the Stakes races, which would begin at 8 p.m., by which time, it was hoped the temperatures would cool.  The Haskell Invitational field left the starting gate at approximately 8:15 p.m. EDT this evening, with six entries, as Joevia was scratched.
   Bethlehem Road led for the first half mile, then King for a Day took over the lead.  The Maximum Security turned on the gas.  Maximum Security crossed the finish line in a time of 1:47.56 for the 1 1/8 mile race.  He was 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Mucho Gusto, who led Spun to Run by 8 lengths; and was followed by Everfast 2 1/2 lengths further back.  King for a Day finished in fifth, with Bethlehem Road in sixth.  Maximum Security received $600,000 of the $990,000 guaranteed purse.
Pay outs for a a $ betting ticket were: $3.60 to win on Maximum Security, $3.40 to place on Mucho Gusto; and $5.60 to show on Spun to Run.  A $2 exacta paid $12; and a $1 Superfecta paid $185.70.
   Due to the continuing heat wave along the east coast, all racing scheduled for Sunday at Monmouth Park has been cancelled.

Maximum Security winning the Haskell Invitational

 

Saturday: $1 Million Haskell Invitational & CVFC Southern Round-Up

Saturday, 20 July, will see the running of the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.  The race is over a distance of 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs), and the post time is 5:45.  There are seven entries, with Maximum Security chosen as the morning-line betting favorite at odds of 8 to 5.   Here are the post positions, the names of the entries, and the betting odds:
 1.   King for a Day       5 to 2
 2.   Joevia                   10 to 1
 3.   Spun to Run          15 to 1
 4.   Bethlehem Road   20 to 1
 5.   Mucho Gusto          2 to 1
 6.   Everfast                  10 to1
 7.   Maximum Security    8 to 5

Maximum Security, morning line betting favorite for the Haskell

At 7 a.m., the Saltwater Cowboys will convene at the main corrals on Beach Road in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island, Virginia.  The southern herd round-up is usually conducted in the afternoon, but this year, with the heat index projected to be 115° in the afternoon, the herd-gathering will take place before the heat of the day strikes.   The souhern herds consist of three groups - one led by Surfer's Riptide, one led by the Don Leonard Stud II (DLS2), and the 2018s (last year's group of Buy Back foals).  The northern herds will be rounded up Sunday morning.

Stallion Surfer's Riptide

Stallion DLS2

Four of the 2018 yearlings

Disqualification In Kentucky Derby Win Means HUGE Asterisk in History Books

After watching film, and consultation between the three Track Stewards at Churchill Downs this evening, the horse that led the race from start to finish was disqualified from first place and moved to seventeenth in the order of finish.  There has already been a lot of discussion regarding the decision on social media since it was announced.
   This was the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby.  In 1968, a winner was disqualified after failing a drug test.  Dancer's Image always had sore ankles; the Sunday before the Saturday race, the barn vet gave him an injection of phenylbutazone (commonly called "bute"), thinking the drug would have passed out of the colt's system in 6 days.  It did not.  The urine sample came back positive for a controlled substance and the first place prize money and acclaim went to Forward Pass.
   In the 1984 running of the Kentucky Derby, Gate Dancer bumped into another horse multiple times during the stretch run, knocking the other horse toward the inner rail.  The jockey claimed foul, and Gate Dancer, who had finished fourth, was moved back to fifth place. The horse he had interfered with was awarded fourth place and that portion of the winner's purse.
    The race today was different.  I am not a steward, but I do not agree with their decision - and not because I am a huge fan of Maximum Security and/or his connections.  Maximum Security lead the race almost from the first step out of the starting gate.  Coming around the last turn, the crowd of 150,729 people began to roar.  There was also a lengthy puddle of water on the race track, where he was racing about one path out from the inner rail.  It had rained heavily just before the race, and it was still raining.  Coming around the turn, with the roar of the crowd and the puddle in front of him, Maximum Security slowly angled away from the rail, about the width of three horses.  War of Will was right on the heels of Maximum Security, and Tyler Gaffalione had to slow and steady his horse to keep from clipping heels and falling.  Country House also moved wider, as he was outside of War of Will and moving up alongside Maximum Security.  Luis Saez, the jockey on Maximum Security, took the horse back to the second path as soon as they straightened out from the turn and entered the straight homestretch.  Julian Prat, riding Country House, moved from the sixth lane to the fourth lane. Several horses came up to challenge Maximum Security and Country House, but faded back.
   Maximum Security passed under the finish line, followed by Country House, Code of Honor, Tacitus, and Improbable.  People were astounded when Country House's jockey, Julian Prat, claimed foul.  He said he was interfered with in the stretch by Maximum Security bearing out, and that, had that not happened, his colt might have won the race.  After watching five different camera views of the race for 20 minutes, and interviewing the two jockeys on the telephone, the Stewards took down Maximum Security's number as the winner, placed him 17th in the order of finish, and placed Country House's number on top.
   Veteran jockey Jerry Bailey was on the live NBC broadcast of the race and follow-up, and while the Stewards were watching the videos of the race, he stated that Maximum Security had definitely interfered with War of Will, but he did not believe that he had interfered with Country House.  He said he would not have made the claim of foul that Prat made.  One of the other announcers asked if some jockeys would have made the claim "just in case the Stewards might change their minds" and Jerry said, yes, that was certainly the case.  He was surprised with the Stewards decision.
   Country House was declared the winner, with Code of Honor in second place, Tacitus  in third, Improbable in fourth and Game Winner in fifth. The rest of the finish was in this order: 6th, Master Fencer (JPN); 7th, War of Will; 8th, Plus Que Paefait; 9th, Win Win Win; 10th, Cutting Humor; 11th, By My Standards; 12th, Vekoma; 13th, Bodexpress; 14th, Tax; 15th, Roadster; 16th, Long Range Toddy; 17th, Maximum Security; 18th, Spinoff; and 19th, Gray Magician.  Long Range Toddy had to be pulled up, or  slowed, to stop from colliding with War of Will, who slowed down when Maximum Security slowly veered to the right.  That is why Maximum Security was placed behind him in the finish.  Maximum Security finished the race 1 3/4 length in front of Country House, running the 1 and 1/4 miles on a sloppy track in 2:03.93.
   Country House was a 65 to 1 long shot in the betting for the day, so the payouts were high.  A $2 win bet paid $132.40; a $2 place bet paid $15.20; and a $2 show bet paid $5.60.  If you placed a $2 perfecta bet, your return was $3,009.60; a $2 trifecta paid $22,950.60; and the superfecta paid  $102,800.20.

Just before Maximum Security started to move left - from left,

Country House, War of Will, Maximum Security and Code of Honor

Maximum Security finishing in front by 1 3/4 lengths

Country House (left) was declared the winner; War of Will at right

Serengeti Empress Wins Kentucky Oaks; Hailkal Out of Derby

Two bits of news regarding tomorrow's Kentucky Derby:  Haikal is definitely out of the field, so 19 colts will enter the gate; and with Omaha Beach side-lined, the connections of Cutting Humor have changed jockeys, and Mike Smith will be in the saddle instead of Corey Lanerie.
   The track at Churchill Downs was listed as sloppy for the first race this morning, but by the time the Kentucky Oaks was run the track was listed as fast.  The rain arrived last night and stopped shortly before racing began today. The number of people on hand was 105,719.
   The full field of 14 fillies began the race.  Soon after leaving the gate, Positive Spirit was squeezed back and ended up clipping heels. She stumbled and completely unseated her jockey, Manny Franco.  Manny walked back to the barn area in fine, but disgusted, condition.  The outriders were able to catch Positive Spirit, who walked back to the barn area under her own power.  She has some scrapes and bruising, but nothing serious, according to the veterinarian on call.
   The betting favorite at post time was Bellafina, but Serengeti Empress soon took the lead, and finished the race in front of everyone else, winning by 1 3/4 lengths, in a time of 1:50.17 for the 1 and 1/8 miles.  Long-shot Liora, at 38 to 1, had put in a huge drive in the stretch, but couldn't catch the leader, still finishing 5 1/2 lengths in front of Lady Apple in third.  Champagne Anyone missed third place by a neck, and was followed by betting favorite Bellafina in fifth.  The rest of the field finished in the following order: 6th, Street Band; 7th, Chocolate Kisses; 8th, Motion Emotion; 9th, Jeltrin; 10th, Out for a Spin; 11th, Flor de La Mar; 12th, Restless Rider; 13th, Jaywalk; and Positive Spirit did not finish.
  With Serengeti Empress at odds of 13 to 1, and Liora at 38 to 1, the payouts were impressive.  Payouts for a $2 bet to win, place or show were: $28 for Serengeti Empress; $32.60 for Liora; and $7 for Lady Apple. A $2 exacta bet paid $878.40; a $2 trifecta bet paid $14,043.60; and a $2 superfecta bet paid $134,174.80.

Luckless Positive Spirit and Manny Franco

 Serengeti Empress before the race

 Liora

 Lady Apple

Betting Favorite Omaha Beach Scratched From Kentucky Derby

After some light exercise today, Omaha Beach developed a small, nagging cough.  The veterinarian was called, and an endoscopy was performed.  It was discovered that the colt's epiglottis, a triangular shaped piece of cartilage, had become entrapped in his throat. The entrapment can only be relieved by surgery, and the colt would have breathing problems throughout his life without the surgery.  After the surgery, the colt needs rest and no stress for at least 3 weeks before starting to train for racing again.  The Derby is out; the Preakness is out.  The owners, trainer, jockey, and stable hands are all in shock.  Everything must be re-planned and mapped out.
  With the scratch of Omaha Beach, the colt Bodexpress will load in gate 20, wearing saddle-cloth number 21 for the race. The horses who drew positions 13 to 20 will all move one slot over to the right, but will keep their original drawn post numbers. (Code of Honor, who drew post 13, will break from gate 12, but wear the number 13.)  Bodexprress, is a bay son of Bodemeister, out of the City Zip mare Pied a Terre.  His jockey will be Chris Landeros, and he is trained by Gustavo Delgado.
  With the betting favorite missing, odds-master Mike Battaglia has declared the new favorite to be Game Winner at 9 to 2, followed by both Improbable and Roadster at odds of 5 to 1.

Game Winner

Improbable

Roadster

Rain For the Oaks and Derby?

For the past few days, the weather forecasts for both the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, and the Kentucky Derby on Saturday have remained the same.  There's a 40% chance of rain Friday afternoon and evening for the Oaks, and a 60% chance of rain for the Derby.
   The early betting favorite for the Kentucky Oaks is Bellafina, a huge daughter of Quality Road, out of the Malibu Moon mare, Akron Moon.  Bellafina has raced 8 times, winning six, and finishing second in her first start.  The only other time was when she "didn't fire" in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Filly race at Churchill Downs, where she finished fourth. And Bellafina has three Grade 1 wins under her belt, too.  She is trained by Simon Callaghan, and will have her regular jockey, Flavian Plat, in the irons for Friday's race.  Since there is a full field, the winner's share of the $1.25 million purse is $705,520 (not the $750,000 I had earlier reported).

Bellafina winning the Santa Anita Oaks

The betting favorite for the Kentucky Derby is Omaha Beach, a dark bay son of War Front, out of the Seeking the Gold mare, Charming. Because of his pedigree, he ran his first three races on turf courses, getting two seconds and a third place.  Richard Mandella, his trainer, noticed the colt seemed to run better on the main dirt track during his morning workouts, and decided to try racing him on the dirt. Omaha Beach finished second in his first dirt race; he won his second race by 9 lengths.  Then he shipped to Arkansas and won his division of the Rebel Stakes, and then won the Arkansas Derby in rain on a sloppy track.  Jockey Mike Smith had to choose between riding Roadster and Omaha Beach in the Kentucky Derby.  Mike chose Omaha Beach - so, even though he's the betting favorite, that's who I'll be betting on....

Omaha Beach winning the Arkansas Derby under Mike Smith

Kentucky Oaks Post Positions and Morning Line Odds

Well, it was 74 degrees here in Boulder, Colorado yesterday, and I am sitting at my PC, watching snow fall past the window at 10:40 this morning... 
   The Post positions for the Kentucky Oaks were drawn at 11 a.m. EDT today.  Only 14 entries are allowed in the gate for the 1 and 1/8 mile (9 furlong) race at Churchill Downs on Friday, 3 May.  The fillies will carry 121 pounds, and the guaranteed purse is $1,250,000 - with the winner getting $750,000.  This is the current line-up; there are two fillies waiting in the wings in the event of any scratches before the start of the race.
   1.   Out for a Spin           15 to 1
   2.   Chocolate Kisses      20 to 1
   3.   Lady Apple               20 to 1
   4.   Bellafina                    2 to 1
   5.   Flor de La Mar         20 to 1
   6.   Positive Spirit          30 to 1
   7.   Jaywalk                     8 to 1
   8.   Motion Emotion       15 to 1
   9.   Liora                         20 to 1
  10.  Champagne Anyone    6 to 1
  11.  Jeltrin                        15 to 1
  12.  Street Band               15 to 1
  13.  Serengeti Empress     8 to 1 
  14.  Restless Rider            6 to 1

The Kentucky Derby post position draw will occur tomorrow, and I will post that when it is available.

Kentucky Oaks Is One Week Away

A week from today, the "Lillies for the Fillies" race will be run.  The Kentucky Oaks is  always run the day before the Kentucky Derby, and highlights the girls instead of the boys.  The race is now limited to 14 entries, as the Derby is limited to 20.  The Oaks covers a distance of 9 furlongs, or 1 1/8 miles, on the main track; all fillies will carry 121 pounds; and the purse is a guaranteed $1.25 million, with $750,000 going to the winner.  The current fastest time for the Oaks was set in 2003, when Bird Town covered the distance in 1:48.64.
   The Kentucky Oaks has been run at four different distances since it's inception in 1875.  The first winner was Vinaigrette, who covered 1 1/2 miles in 2:39 3/4.  The Oaks was run at 1 and 1/2 miles from 1875 through 1890; from 1891 through 1895, it was 1 1/4 miles; in 1896 through 1919, the distance was 1 1/16 miles; from 1920 through 1941 it covered 1 1/8 miles; it changed again in 1942 through 1981 to 1 and 1/16 miles; and, once again, in 1982 it was switched back to a distance of 1 and 1/8 miles.
   The entries for the Kentucky Oaks race for qualifying points, as do the Kentucky Derby contenders.  There are currently 16 fillies on the list for the 14 entries allowed.  I will list them by highest to lowest amounts of points, as I did the Derby contenders.  Of the 16 fillies, 14 were bred in Kentucky, with Out for a Spin bred in Virginia, and Cookie Dough being a Florida-bred.  There are 2 greys or roans, 2 chestnuts, and 12 bays, dark bays, or brown coat colors.  Two of the fillies are sired by Quality Road, and two are sired by Candy Ride (ARG) - so, 14 stallions for 16 possible contenders.
  Here is the list of the top 16 contenders for the 2019 Kentucky Oaks:
   1.   Bellafina    Quality Road,  out of Akron Moon, by Malibu Moon
   2.   Champagne Anyone   Street Sense,   out of Lucevan, by Ghostzapper
   3.   Street Band   Istan,  out of Street Minstrel, by Street Cry
   4.   Lady Apple   Curlin,  out of Miss Mary Apples, by Clever Trick
   5.   Out for a Spin   Hard Spun,  out of My Mammy, by Came Home
   6.   Liora   Candy Ride (ARG),  out of Giant Mover, by Giant's Causeway
   7.   Restless Rider   Distorted Humor,  out of Silky Serenade, by Unbridled's Song
   8.   Serengeti Empress   Alternation   out of Havisham, by Bernardini
   9.   Motion Emotion   Take Charge Indy,  out of Golden Motion, by Smart Strike
  10.  Jaywalk   Cross Traffic,  out of Lady Pewitt, by Orientate
  11.  Chocolate Kisses   Candy Ride (ARG),  out of Brownie Points, by Forest Wildcat
  12.  Jeltrin   Tapizar,  out of Song to the Moon, by Successful Appeal
  13.  Positive Spirit   Pioneerof the Nile,  out of Above Perfection, by In Excess
  14.  Flor de La Mar   Tiznow,  out of Sacristy, by Pulpit
  15.  Cookie Dough   Brethren,  out of Brooke's Valentine, by Fusaichi Pegasus
  16.  Dunbar Road   Quality Road,  out of Gift List, by Bernardini

     A few photos of some of the fillies, in alphabetical order:

Bellafina

Champagne Anyone

Jaywalk

Out for a Spin

Positive Spirit

Ten Days to the Kentucky Derby

If there are no sudden doubts causing a scratch, or illnesses, or injuries, it looks like the field is set for the running of the Kentucky Derby on 4 May.  The field is limited to the top 20 point qualifiers, and the listing below will be by quantity of points only.  So far, jockeys for 18 of the entries have been named.
   Of the top twenty, 19 are colts (Plus Que Parfait is a ridgling) and one gelding, Tax.  Eighteen were bred in Kentucky, with Win Win Win a Florida-bred, and Master Fencer bred in Japan. Considering coat colors, there are 3 greys or roans, 8 chestnuts and 9 bays, dark bays, or browns. The 20 entries represent 18 different stallions, with 2 sons each sired by Candy Ride (ARG) and War Front.  Besides the two sons of Candy Ride, who was bred in Argentina, there are two stallions from Japan represented, as well as one stallion from Great Britain.  All of the dams, but one, are North American bred; War of Will's dam was bred in Ireland.
  Following is the list of the top 20 entries for the Kentucky Derby: the entry's name, sire's name, dam's name, and dam's sire name.  All horses will race on the dirt track, 10 furlongs (or 1 1/4 miles), carrying 126 pounds, the purse is guaranteed at $3 million.  The post position draw for the 145th Kentucky Derby will take place at 11 a.m. (EDT) on Tuesday, 30 April.
   1.   Tacitus   Tapit,  out of Close Hatches, by First Defense
   2.   Omaha Beach    War Front,  out of Charming, by Seeking the Gold
   3.   Vekoma   Candy Ride (ARG),  out of Mona de Momma, by Speightstown
   4.   Plus Que Parfait   Point of Entry,  out of Belvedera, by Awesome Again
   5.   Roadster   Quality Road,  out of Ghost Dancing, by Silver Ghost
   6.   By My Standards   Goldencents, out of A Jealous Woman, by Muqtarib
   7.   Maximum Security   New Year's Day,  out of Lil Indy, by Anasheed
   8.   Game Winner   Candy Ride (ARG),   out of Indyan Giving, by A P Indy
   9.   Code of Honor   Noble Mission (GB),  out of Reunited, by Dixie Union
  10.  Haikal   Daaher,  out of Sablah, by Distorted Humor
  11.  Improbable   City Zip,  out of Rare Event, by A P Indy
  12.  War of Will   War Front,  out of Visions of Clarity (IRE), by Sadler's Wells
  13.  Long Range Toddy   Take Charge Indy,  out of Pleasant Song, by Unbridled's Song
  14.  Tax   Arch,  out of Toll, by Giant's Causeway
  15.  Cutting Humor   First Samurai,  out of Pun, by Pulpit
  16.  Win Win Win   Hat Trick (JPN),  out of Miss Smarty Pants, by Smarty Jones
  17.  Country House   Lookin At Lucky,  out of Quake Lake, by War Chant
  18.  Gray Magician   Graydar,  out of Burg Berg, by Johannesburg
  19.  Spinoff   Hardspun,  out of Zaftig, by Gone West
  20.  Master Fencer (JPN)   Just a Way (JPN),  out of Sexy Zamurai, by Deputy Minister

Photos of five entries, posted in alphabetical order:

Cutting Humor

Improbable

Master Fencer (JPN)

Omaha Beach

Tacitus

Great Racing At Gulfstream Park, With 2 Pegasus Races Worth a Total of $16 Million

Today, or tomorrow, depending on when and where you are reading this, on 26 January, Gulfstream Park Race Track will conduct 12 races for thoroughbred horses.  Many are stakes races, with big money purses, and they have drawn top horses from around the country.  The two Pegasus Invitational races have drawn entries from around the world, and the races are drawing world-wide television coverage.  NBC will be covering the two Invitational Races live, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. EST.

For the two Pegasus races, I am listing: Post position; Horse's name; (Sire's name); age and sex; assigned weight; and morning betting odds.

  The first Pegasus race is the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Turf Stakes.  The distance to be run is 1 3/8 miles (11 furlongs) on the turf course; the guaranteed purse is $7 million; and the post time is 4:51.    This is a handicap race, which takes into consideration the horse's age, sex, and past racing performances.  Assigned weights range between 112 pounds and 124 pounds for 10 entries.
  1.    Magic Wand (IRE)     (Galileo-IRE)             4yo filly       112        9 to 2
  2.    Yoshida (JPN)            (Heart's Cry-JPN)      5yo horse     124       5 to 2
  3.    Channel Maker          (English Channel)       5yo geld       117       12 to 1
  4.    Aerolithe (JPN)          (Kurofune)                  5 yo mare     112        8 to 1
  5.    Next Shares                (Archarcharch)           6yo geld       124        15 to 1
  6.    Fahan Mura                (English Channel)      5yo mare      119        30 to 1 
  7.    Bricks and Mortar      (Giant's Causeway)    5 yo horse     124       5 to 1
  8.    Delta Prince               (Street Cry-IRE)          6yo horse      124       15 to 1
  9.    Catapult                      (Kitten's Joy)               6yo horse     124        7 to 2
 10.   Dubby Dubbie            (Ice Box)                      4yo geld       124       30 to 1


  The second Pegasus race is the Pegasus World Cup Invitation Stakes.  The distance to be run is 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on the main dirt track;   the guaranteed purse is $9 million; all horses are male, and all carry the same weight of 124 pounds in the race.  Post time is scheduled for 5:36 for 12 entries.
  1.   Bravazo                        (Awesome Again)       4yo colt          12 to 1
  2.   Something Awesome   (Awesome Again)        8yo geld         20 to 1
  3.   City of Light                (Quality Road)            5yo horse        5 to 2
  4.   Seeking the Soul          (Perfect Soul-IRE)      6yo horse        12 to 1
  5.   Accelerate                    (Lookin' At Lucky)       6yo horse         9 to 5
  6.   Tom's d'Etat                 (Smart Strike)              6yo horse        20 to 1
  7.   True Timber                 (Mineshaft)                  5yo horse        30 to 1
  8.   Gunnevera                   (Dialed In)                   5yo horse         8 to 1
  9.   Kukulkan (MEX)        (Point Determined)      4yo colt           30 to 1
 10.  Audible                       (Into Mischief)              4yo colt           10 to 1
 11.  Imperative                   (Bernardini)                  9yo geld          30 to 1
 12.  Patternrecognition       (Adios Charlie)             6yo horse        10 to 1

Have fun at the races!

 

Hunt Scratched From Breeders' Cup Mile; Divisidero In

Hunt, the 30 to 1 Irish entry, has spiked a temperature and is out of Saturday's Mile (turf) race.  Now Divisidero will race  to fill the field at 14 entries.  Hunt had drawn post position 9; now, post positions 10 through 14 will more over one space, and Divisidero will break from gate number 14...

Breeders' Cup Races Pre-Entries for Saturday, 3 Nov 2018 - Part 2

For information regarding the over-subscription of entries, and how the runners are chosen, please see Wednesday's blog regarding the record breaking number of horses entered in this year's Breeders' Cup Championship Races at Churchill Downs.

Listed below are the pre-entries for the last four races to be run on 3 November.  If the horse is pre-entered into more than one race, there is an asterisk (*) behind his or her name.  If the horse won a Breeders' Cup Challenge Race, and has a priority entry, there will be a dollar sign ($) in front of their name.  I will list the name of the race, the distance and the total guaranteed purse, then the pre-entries.

Mile  (Turf)                                     1 mile (8 furlongs)            $2 million
 1.   A Raving Beauty (GER)  *
 2.   Analyze It
 3.   Catapult
 4.   Expert Eye (GB)
 5.   Gustav Klimt (IRE)
 6.   Happily (IRE)
 7.  $  Hunt (IRE)
 8.   I Can Fly (GB)
 9.  $  Lightning Spear (GB)
10.  $  Next Shares (GB)
11.   One Master (GB)
12.  $  Oscar Performance
13.   Polydream (IRE)
14.   Sharp Samurai
~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Cut Off ~~~~~~~~~~
15.   Mushtashry (GB)
16.   Almanaar (GB)
17.   Divisidero
18.   Clemmie (IRE)
19.   Qurbaan
20.   Great Wide Open (IRE)
21.   Hembree  *

Distaff                                    1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs)           $2 million
 1.  $  Abel Tasman
 2.  $  Blue Prize (ARG)
 3.   Champagne Problems
 4.   Fuhriously Kissed  *
 5.   La Force (GER)
 6.   Midnight Bisou
 7.   Monomoy Girl
 8.   Mopotism  *
 9.  $  Vale Dori (ARG)
10.   Verve's Tale
11.   Wonder Gadot
12.   Wow Cat (CHI)

Turf                                  1 1/2 miles (12 furlongs)             $4 million
 1.   Arklow
 2.  $  Channel Maker
 3.   Crystal Ocean (GB)
 4.   Enable (GB)
 5.  $  Glorious Empire (IRE)
 6.   Hi Happy (ARG)
 7.   Hunting Horn (IRE)
 8.   Magical (IRE)  *
 9.  $  Quarteto de Cordas (BRZ)
10.  $  Roaring Lion  *
11.  $  Robert Bruce (CHI)
12.   Sadler's Joy
13.   Talismanic (GB)
14.   Waldgeist (GB)
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Cut Off ~~~~~~~~~~
15.   Liam the Charmer

Classic                        1 1/4 miles (10 furlongs)              $6 million
 1.  $  Accelerate
 2.   Axelrod
 3.   Catholic Boy
 4.   City of Light  *
 5.  $  Discreet Lover
 6.   Lone Sailor  *
 7.   McKinzie
 8.   Mendelssohn
 9.   Mind Your Biscuits  *
10.  $  Pavel
11.   Roaring Lion  *
12.   Thunder Snow (IRE)  *
13.   West Coast
14.   Yoshida (JPN)
~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Cut Off ~~~~~~~~~~~
15.   Bravazo  *
16.   Seeking the Soul  *
17.   Gunnevera
18.   Collected
19.   Toast of New York
19. 

Breeders' Cup Races Pre-Entries for Saturday, 3 Nov 2018 - Part 1

For information regarding the over-subscription of entries, and how the runners are chosen, please see yesterday's blog regarding the record breaking number of horses entered in this year's Breeders' Cup Championship Races at Churchill Downs.

Listed below are the pre-entries for the first five races to be run on 3 November.  If the horse is pre-entered into more than one race, there is an asterisk (*) behind his or her name.  If the horse won a Breeders' Cup Challenge Race, and has a priority entry, there will be a dollar sign ($) in front of their name.  I will list the name of the race, the distance and the total guaranteed purse, then the pre-entries.

Filly & Mare Sprint                   7 furlongs           $1 million
 1.   Anonymity
 2.   Chalon
 3.   Dream Tree
 4.   Finley'sluckycharm
 5.  $  Golden Mischief
 6.   Highway Star
 7.   Kirby's Penny
 8.  $  Marley's Freedom
 9.   Mia Mischief
10.   Miss Sunset
11.   Selcourt
12.   Shamrock Rose
13.   Skye Diamonds
14.  $  Stormy Embrace
~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Cut Off ~~~~~~~~~~
15.   Mopotism  *
16.   Happy Like A Fool  *
17.   Dream Pauline
18.   Bixby Lou

Turf Sprint                        5.5 furlongs               $1 million
 1.   Bucchero
 2.   Chanteline
 3.   Conquest Tsunami
 4.  $  Disco Partner
 5.  $  Havana Grey (GB)
 6.   Hembree  *
 7.   Lost Treasure (IRE)
 8.   Rainbow Heir
 9.   Richard's Boy
10.   Ruby Notion
11.   Stormy Liberal
12.   Vision Perfect
13.   Will Call
14.   World of Trouble
~~~~~~~~~~ Current Cut Off  ~~~~~~~~
15.   Pay Any Price
16.   Extravagant Kid
17.   Blind Ambition
18.   El Astronaute (IRE)
19.   Insta Erma
20.   B Squared  *

Dirt Mile                         1 mile (8 furlongs)         $1 million
 1.   Awesome Slew
 2.   Bravazo  *
 3.  $  Catalina Cruiser
 4.   City of Light
 5.   Firenze Fire  *
 6.   Giant Expectations
 7.   Isotherm
 8.   Limousine Liberal  *
 9.   Lone Sailor  *
10.   Promises Fulfilled  *
11.   Seeking the Soul  *
12.   Seven Trumpets  *
13.   Warrior's Club  *
14.  $  Whitmore  *
~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Cut Off ~~~~~~~~~~~~
15.   Trigger Warning
16.   Dak Attack

Filly & Mare Turf           1 3/8 miles (11 furlongs)       $2 million
 1.  $  A Raving Beauty (GER)  *
 2.   Athena (IRE)
 3.   Eziyra (IRE)
 4.  $  Fourstar Crook
 5.   Magic Wand (IRE)
 6.   Magical (IRE)  *
 7.   Mom's On Strike
 8.   Paved
 9.   Princess Yaiza (IRE)
10.   Santa Monica (GB)
11.  $  Sistercharlie (IRE)
12.  $  Smart Choice (ARG)
13.   Thais (FR)
14.  $  Wild Illusion (GB)
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Cut Off ~~~~~~~~~~
15.   Fuhriously Kissed  *

Sprint                           6 furlongs                    $2 million
 1.   Always Sunshine
 2.   Distinctive B
 3.   Firenze Fire  *
 4.   Happy Like A Fool  *
 5.  $  Imperial Hint
 6.  $  Limousine Liberal  *
 7.   Mind Your Biscuits  *
 8.   Mr. Crow
 9.  $  Promises Fulfilled  *
10.  $  Roy H
11.   Seven Trumpets  *
12.   Warrior's Club  *
13.   Whitmore  *
14.   X Y Jet
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Cut Off ~~~~~~~~~~
15.   B Squared  *

Record Number of Pre-Entries for Breeders Cup 2018

Today, the pre-entries for the 2018 Breeders Cup races at Churchill Downs were announced, with a record-setting number of 221 entries in the fourteen races.  Several horses are pre-entered into several races, and trainers and owners will have to make decisions by Monday, 29 October as to which race they want their horse entered in, as well as who has the most qualifying points in each race.  Twelve of the fourteen races are oversubscribed at the pre-entry stage, since all races - with the exception of the Juvenile Turf Sprint, which is limited to 12 runners - are allowed a maximum of 14 starters.  This is to prevent bumping, blocking, and dangerous conditions for the horses while in contention on the  track.
  In an oversubscribed field, the winners of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Races in the corresponding Breeders' Cup division have priority in entering the race. The next horses are ranked at pre-entry based on the total number of American and Canadian graded stakes points they have collected during the year until a total of seven (or six) horses have been ranked based on the Challenge winners and the top graded stakes point earners.  All horses need to accumulate a minimum of 6 points in American or Canadian graded stakes races to be considered for an automatic selection based on points in any Championship race - with the exception of the five juvenile races on Friday, 2 November.
  Collected, who ran second in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic, may be excluded from the field this year, if all the preferences hold as expected among the 19 runners pre-entered and there are no defections to other races, or scratches.  Collected, trained by Bob Baffert, finished behind Gun Runner in last year's race; Gun Runner was named Horse of the Year after his win.

Listed below are the pre-entries for the juvenile (2-year-old) races to be run on 2 November.  If the horse is pre-entered into more than one race, there is an asterisk (*) behind his or her name. If the horse won a Breeders' Cup Challenge Race, and has a priority entry, there will be a dollar sign ($) in front of their name.  I will list the name of the race, the distance and the total guaranteed purse, then the pre-entries.

Juvenile Turf Sprint             5.5 furlongs          $1 million
 1.    Bulletin  *
 2.   $  Its Gonna Hurt
 3.    Pocket Dynamo
 4.    Queen of Bermuda (IRE)
 5.    Sergei Prokofiev
 6.   $  Shang Shang Shang
 7.    So Perfect
 8.    Soldier's Call (GB)
 9.    Stillwater Cove
10.  $  Strike Silver
11.  $  Uncle Benny  *
12.   Well Done Fox (GB)
~~~~~~~ Current Cut Off ~~~~~~
13.   Chelsea Cloisters
14.   Moonlight Romance
15.   Big Drink of Water
16.   Comedy (IRE)
17.   Van Beethoven
18.   Legends of War
19.   Stellar Agent  *
20.   Whooping Jay
21.   Mae Never No (IRE)
22.   Backtohisroots
23.   Never No More (IRE)
24.   Tracksmith   *
25.   Dragic
26.   Order And Law  *
27.   Sovereign Impact
28.   All About It

Juvenile Fillies Turf         1 mile (8 furlongs)     $1 million
 1.   Belle Laura
 2.   $  Concrete Rose
 3.   East (GB)
 4.   Hermosa (IRE)
 5.   $  Just Wonderful
 6.   $  La Pelosa (IRE)
 7.   $  Lily's Candle
 8.   My Gal Betty
 9.   Newspaperof record (IRE)
10.   Pakhet
11.   So Perfect
12.   Summering
13.   The Mackem Bullet (IRE)
14.   Varenka
~~~~~~~~ Current Cut Off ~~~~~~~~~
15.   Stellar Agent   *
16.   Lady Prancealot (IRE)
17.   Pivottina (FR)
18.   Princesa Carolina
19.   Winning Envelope

Juvenile Fillies         1 1/16 mile (8.5 furlongs)    $2 million
 1.   Baby Nina
 2.   $  Bellafina
 3.   Cassies Dreamer
 4.   Cookie Dough
 5.   $  Jaywalk
 6.   Reflect
 7.   $  Restless Rider
 8.   $  Serengeti Empress
 9.   $  Sippican Harbor
10.   Splashy Kisses
11.   Vibrance

Juvenile Turf          1 mile (8 furlongs)         $1 million
 1.   Anthony Van Dyck (IRE)
 2.   Arthur Kitt (GB)
 3.   Broome (IRE)
 4.   $  Current
 5.   Forty Under
 6.   Henley's Joy
 7.   King Of Speed
 8.   Line of Duty (IRE)
 9.   Marie's Diamond (IRE)
10.   Opry
11.   Somelikeithotbrown
12.   The Black Album (FR)
13.   Uncle Benny   *
14.   War of Will
~~~~~~~~~ Current Cut Off ~~~~~~~~~
15.   Much Better
16.   Louder Than Bombs
17.   Bulletin   *
18.   Tracksmith   *
19.   Order And Law   *
20.   Flying Scotsman
21.   Empire of War
22.   Pico Entry

Juvenile Colts            1 1/16 mile (8.5 furlongs)      $2 million
 1.   Code Of Honor
 2.   $  Complexity
 3.   Dueling
 4.   $  Game Winner
 5.   Gunmetal Gray
 6.   $  Knicks Go
 7.   Mind Control
 8.   Mr. Money
 9.   Signalman
10.   Standard Deviation
11.   Tight Ten
12.   Topper T
13.   Trophy Chaser
14.   Well Defined
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Cut Off ~~~~~~~~~
15.   Derby Date

Breeders Cup Races 2018 at Churchill Downs

The 2018 Breeders Cup races are 12 days away, being run on Friday and Saturday, 2 and 3 November at Churchill Downs, outside of Lexington, Kentucky.  This year, the schedule has been shaken up a bit - I used to get angry because they ran all the fillies and mares races on Friday, when there was less attendance and a smaller betting handle.  This year, the races for the juvenile horses, all 2-year-olds, will all take place on Friday, and Friday is now designated as "Future Stars Friday" at the Breeders Cup.
   On Friday, 2 November, the first Breeders Cup race will be the Juvenile Turf Sprint.   Listed below are the post times (Eastern Daylight Time), the name of the race, the length of the race, and the amount of the guaranteed purse.
 3:21 p.m.      Juvenile Turf Sprint         5.5 furlongs        $1 million
 4:00 p.m.      Juvenile Fillies Turf          1 mile                $1 million
 4:40 p.m.      Juvenile Fillies                   1 1/16 mile       $2 million
 5:22 p.m.      Juvenile Colts Turf            1 mile                $1 million
 6:05 p.m.      Juvenile Colts                     1 1/16 mile       $2 million

  Two other stakes races will be run on Friday, the Street Smart Stakes, for 3-year-olds, run at 8 furlongs (1 mile); and the Marathon Stakes, a Grade II event, for 3-year-olds and up, run at 14 furlongs (1 3/4 miles),

On Saturday, nine Breeders Cup races will be run, all for 3-year-olds and up, starting at 12 noon EDT.  Listed below are the post times, the name of the race, the length of the race, and the amount of the guaranteed purse.
 12:00 p.m.     Fillies and Mares Sprint     7 furlongs          $1 million
 12:38 p.m.     Turf Sprint                          5.5 furlongs       $1 million
  1:16 p.m.      Dirt Mile                              1 mile               $1 million
  2:04 p.m.      Fillies and Mares Turf          1 3/8 miles       $2 million
  2:46 p.m.      Sprint                                  6 furlongs          $ 2 million
  3:36 p.m.      Turf Mile                              1 mile               $2 million
  4:16 p.m.      Distaff  (Fillies & Mares)     1 1/8 miles       $2 million
  4:50 p.m.      Turf                                       1 1/2 miles       $4 million
  5:44 p.m.      Classic                                  1 1/4 miles       $ 6 million
Of course, Justify, the colt who won the Triple Crown this year, has been retired and will not compete in the BC Classic, which is a disappointment.  However, he was retired due to a recurrent filling of fluid in his foreleg, and was retired to avoid a possibly life-threatening injury....

  Two other stakes races will be run on Saturday, the Runhappy Stakes, for 3-year-olds, run at 7 furlongs on the main track, and the Chilukki Stakes, for fillies and mares, aged 3 and up, at 8 furlongs (1 mile) on the main track.

  As these races get closer, I'll write more about who is entered, jockeys, trainers, etc.

Today's Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico

I remember when the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes got as much publicity as the Kentucky Oaks - but that was quite a few years ago.  These days, the second race in the Triple Tiara for Fillies is only a Grade II, with a total purse of $250,000.  It still covers a distance of 1 and 1/8 miles, or 9 furlongs, but it no longer has a luster to it's image.  All the fillies who ran carried 122 pounds; now it depends upon their race experience and wins....
   At any event, the post time for this year's running of the female counter-part of the Preakness Stakes is at 4:48 EDT in the afternoon.   Originally, there were ten entries, but Midnight Disguise, the only New York-bred filly was scratched with a bruised foot.  Of the nine fillies who enter the gate, all were bred in Kentucky, except Goodonehoney, who is from Maryland.  All of the fillies are bays, dark bays or browns, except for Red Ruby, who is registered as a grey or roan.
  Here is a listing of the post positions, the weight each filly will carry, her sire, and her morning-line betting odds:
1.     Tell Your Mama  116#      Blame         20 to 1
2.     Midnight Disguise    120#    Midnight Lute        4 to 1
3.     Coach Rocks    120#      Oxbow      7 to 2
4.     Red Ruby     118#      Tiznow      5 to 1
5.     Mihrab       116#       Tiznow       30 to 1
6.     C. S. Incharge     116#     Take Charge Indy     15 to 1
7.     Goodonehoney     118#      Great Notion       5 to 1
8.     Indy Union      116#       Union Rags       10 to 1
9.     Sara Street      116#       Street Sense       4 to 1
10.   Stakes On a Plane      116#      Run Away And Hide      20 to 1


The first running of the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes took place in 1919, with Milkmaid winning.  The race was then run at the distance of 1 and 1/16 miles - where it stayed until 1988, when the distance was lengthened to 9 furlongs.
   The third leg of the fillies Triple Tiara is the Mother Goose Stakes, at Belmont Park, the day before the Belmont Stakes.

Kentucky Derby Weekend - TV, Post Positions, Odds

NBC is doing blockbuster coverage of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby this week, with coverage covering 20 races from Thursday, 3 May, through the Derby itself, on 5 May.  On Thursday, 3 May, NBC Sports Network will cover 4 races at Churchill Downs beginning at 4 pm (EDST).  On Friday, 4 May, there will be live coverage of 6 races, including the Grade I Kentucky Oaks,  with NBC Sports Network live from noon until 6 pm (EDST).  Ten races will have coverage on Saturday, 5 May, with live feed on NBC Sports Network from noon until 2:30; then on NBC from 2:30 until 7 pm (all EDST).  The final race covered will be, of course, the Kentucky Derby.
   On Friday, if there are no scratches, 14 fillies will race for the $1 million purse in the Kentucky Oaks.  The race covers one and one-eighth miles on the main dirt track, and all of the 3-year-old girls will carry 121 pounds.  Besides a trophy, and the $600,000 winner's portion, the winning filly will be draped with a blanket of pink lillies...   Originally, the race was run at the distance of 1  1/2 miles; the inaugural winner was Vinaigrette, who won in a time of 2:39.75, in 1875. 
  Eleven of the fillies are Kentucky bred; Wonder Gadot was bred in Ontario, Heavenhasmynikki was bred in Ohio, and Patrona Margarita was bred in Texas.  Ten of the fillies are bay, with three chestnuts and one grey/roan (My Miss Lilly).
  Here is a list of the Oaks entrants by post position, with their morning-line betting odds after their names:
1.     Sassy Sienna       15 to 1 
2.     Coach Rocks       12 to 1
3.     Classy Act           15 to 1
4.     Chocolate Martini     12 to 1
5.     Wonder Gadot      20 to 1
6.     Kelly's Humor     30 to 1
7.     Rayya                   12 to 1
8.     Heavenhasmynikki    50 to 1
9.     Take Charge Paula     15 to 1
10.   Midnight Bisou     5 to 2
11.   My Miss Lilly        10 to 1
12.   Patrona Margarita   30 to 1
13.   Eskimo Kisses        15 to 1
14.   Monomoy Girl         2 to 1

The post position draw for the Kentucky Derby was at 11 this morning.  All but three of the colts were bred in Kentucky; Flameaway was bred in Ontario, Firenze Fire is a Florida-bred, and Audible was bred in New York.
   Here is the post position draw, with morning line odds behind the colt's name.  Number 21 is an alternate entry, who is eligible to run if any of the other entrants scratch.  Should any colt scratch, and 21 run, all of the horses to the outside of the colt who is scratched will move one gate over closer to the rail.
1.     Firenze Fire          50 to 1
2.     Free Drop Billy    30 to 1
3.     Promises Fulfilled     30 to 1
4.     Flameaway           30 to 1
5.     Audible                 8 to 1
6.     Good Magic          12 to 1
7.     Justify                    3 to 1
8.     Lone Sailor            50 to 1
9.     Hofburg                 20 to 1
10.   My Boy Jack         30 to 1
11.   Bolt d'Oro              8 to 1
12.   Enticed                  30 to 1
13.   Bravazo                 50 to 1
14.   Mendelssohn         5 to 1
15.   Instilled Regard     50 to 1
16.   Magnum Moon      6 to 1
17.   Solomini                30 to 1
18.   Vino Rosso             12 to 1
19.   Noble Indy             30 to 1
20.   Combatant              50 to 1
**alternate  21**  Blended Citizen   50 to 1 **

Enjoy watching, and, if you wager, I hope you win!

Nine New Breeders Cup Champions Today

Normally, I bet on the Breeder's Cup races - the past two years, I haven'y had "extra money" to lose, so I didn't bet.  Well - rats!

Special thanks to EquiSport Photos/Wendy Wooley for the use of two copyrighted photos!!!

    If you've read my blogs about horse racing and betting, you know that I don't like to bet on a favorite, that will give me a low return.  There are horses I bet on, even if they are the favorite, because of a wonderful memory or because of a sympathetic story...  But I generally avoid placing bets on public favorites.  Forever Unbridled is a wonderful memory horse for me, taking me back to the 1990 Kentucky Derby, with trainer Carl Nafzger calling the race for his nearly blind owner, Mrs Frances Genter... Then kissing her full on the mouth when the colt won by 3 1/4 lengths, and declaring to the entire world, "Oh, Ms Genter - I love you!"
   I didn't even look at the races to be run yesterday until noon - I read the four listings, and I read the entries, with sires and dams, jockeys and trainers, and post positions.  If I had made my usual $2 to win and $2 to place bets, I would have only bet $8 yesterday.  The weird thing is that each one of my win choices  actually won their race.  I would have paid out $8 at the window, and would have received back $59.40 from winning tickets...
   I essentially did the same thing today, but I looked at the races, fields, etcetera, at 8 a.m. and scribbled down my choices.  Since I had not bet yesterday, I was still strapped for cash today - and did not bet.  Sometimes I am just such a sucker for life....   There were 9 races today; I would have placed $20 in bets for win and place showings.  Missed out on almost $500, since I didn't make those $2 win , place, and one $2 Perfecta - for Wuheida (GB) and Rhododendron (Ire) in the Fillies and Mares Turf....

  The Breeders Cup was the place for long-shot horses today at Del Mar in California.  I think the most stupefying return amount was for a $2 Superfecta bet in the Juvenile Fillies Turf - if you chose the correct four horses to finish in order, you won $587,420.00 as your payout from the cashier.  (And I'm sure that IRS officials were standing by, too...)  Here's a short synopsis and a photo of the winners:

Bar of Gold won the Fillies and Mares Sprint, covering 7 furlongs on the dirt in 1:22.63.  The Medaglia d'Oro filly held off Ami's Mesa by a nose at the finish, with Carina Mia in third and Skye Diamonds finishing fourth.  Bar of Gold was a 66 to 1 long-shot at the start of the race...

The Turf Sprint was won by Stormy Liberal, a 5-year-old bay gelding by Stormy Atlantic.  Richard's Boy was a head behind the winner with Disco Partner another half-length back, and Bucchero finishing fourth.  The time was 56.62 seconds for the 5 furlongs.  Stormy Liberal was also a long-shot, paying $62.40 for a $2 win ticket...

The 6-furlong Sprint on the main track was won in 1:08.61 by another 5-year-old gelding, Roy H.  The son of More Than Ready finished one length in front of Imperial Hint.  Mind Your Biscuits ran third, with American Pastime in fourth.....

Good Magic was the winner of the Juvenile Colts race.  The chestnut son of Curlin ran the 1 and 1/16 miles in 1:43.34, winning by 4 1/4 lengths, and paying $25 for a $2 win ticket.  Solomini ran second, one length ahead of Bolt d'Oro (the betting favorite).  Givemeaminit was 8 1/4 lengths behind Bolt d'Oro in fourth.  Good Magic had not broken his maiden when he began today's race...  What a way to get your first win!!

The Mile Turf was won in the time of 1:34.55 by World Approval, a 5-year-old gelded son of Northern Afleet.  The grey was one and 1/4 lengths in front of Lancaster Bomber (my choice), who finished a head in front of Blackjackcat (my second choice), who finished a neck ahead of Suedois (Fr).  World Approval was not a long-shot, but the second and third horses were...  The $2 Trifecta ticket paid $12,812.40.

Wuheida, a chestnut filly by Dubawi (Ire), won the Fillies and Mares Turf race, covering the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.91.  The sentimental betting favorite was Lady Eli, who was coming back from near-death from laminitis, after stepping on a nail.  I bet on Wuheida because of her jockey, William Buick, who returned to the races after breaking a vertebrae last spring.  (I also bet on the second horse, mentally.)  Wuheida finished a length in front of Rhododendron (Ire), who was 3/4 length ahead of Cambodia, who was a head in front of Dacita (Chile).  Lady Eli had bad racing luck, and had be be pulled up several times in close quarters...  so sorry for her and her connections.

Long-shot bets continued to win, as Caledonia Road won the Juvenile Fillies Turf under the ride of Mike Smith.  The Quality Road filly ran the  1/16 miles in 1:45.05, and won by 3 1/4 lengths.  Alluring Star ran second, 1 3/4 lengths in front of Blonde Bomber, who was 1 3/4 lengths in front of Separationofpowers.  All of these fillies were long-shots.  Caledonia Road paid $36.60; Alluring Star $10.40; and Blonde Bomber $15.20.  Add Separationofpowers to a $2 Superfecta, and you get $587,420.00.   Yowza.....

The one-and-one-half mile Turf was expected to be a show piece for Ulysses, but the colt had swelling and heat in his fetlock early this morning, and was scratched from the race for medical reasons.  The chestnut son of Galileo (both Irish breds) had been the morning-line betting favorite at 7 to 2 odds.  Talismanic, a 4-year-old white-faced colt by Medaglia d'Oro, stepped into the breach, winning the Turf by a half-length, having run down Beach Patrol in the stretch.  Highland Reel (Ire), who won the Turf last year was third, 1 1/2 lengths in front of Sadler's Joy. Talismanic was  ridden by Mickael Barzalona, and is trained by the great Andre Fabre.  Talismanic paid $30.20 for a $2 win ticket.

The Breeders Cup Classic, worth $6 million in prize money this year...  There were two betting favorites as the race began:  Arrogate and Gun Runner.  I was secretly rooting for War Story, who has tried so hard the past two years.   But Arrogate looked tired to me this morning, in his stall.  I admit to betting $2 to win on three horses in this race - both favorites and War Story.  The only worry that Arrogate seemed to have was that he had drawn the #1 post position, starting back in the chute before joining the main track.  All Mike Smith had to do was get, and keep, him running straight ahead.  When the gates opened, Arrogate shied out to the left and lost about 5 lengths in the first two jumps.  Gun Runner, on the other hand, broke nicely.  The 4-year-old son of Candy Ride (Arg) won the race by 2 1/4 lengths, in a time of  2:01.29.  Collected finished second, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of West Coast, who was 1/2 length in front of War Story (fourth).  One other eye-opener was that there was a Dead Heat for fifth place - between Arrogate and Gunnevera....

... And NO injuries that I'm aware of....

This and That...

Our local wildfire, in Sunshine Canyon, is completely contained, and evacuation orders have been lifted.  No loss of pets or people, no loss of homes - but I'm afraid that nests, burrows, and wildlife were lost...  And there was a fiery public bus crash yesterday in Boulder yesterday; one of our friends has been charged with "careless driving."  We wish Rich the best outcome possible.
   Seek, the Spangled Bengal, with bone cancer in her jaw, is doing a little better.  I'll go spend time with her tonight and Thursday while her Mom is teaching art classes.  Seek eats well for me, and likes to be a lap cat while I'm visiting.  Then I take clients to Denver International at 4 Wednesday morning; Seek again Thursday evening; a quick visit with Pip and Squeak's people on Friday morning; and care of the chickens and cats on Dellwood begins Saturday afternoon...   But no Rosie (sigh) - I know she's in a better place where all parts of her work, but I miss our daily outings.
    In the Kentucky Derby picture, things are getting more cloudy as time goes by and the race gets nearer.  Mastery would probably be the betting favorite today - but he's out of the picture for any spring or summer racing.  The colt won the San Jacinto Stakes by almost 7 lengths, under a hand ride by Mike Smith; 10 strides past the finish line, Mike felt the colt change his movement, and pulled him up.  The colt had suffered a condylar fracture of his left fore cannon.  He's had surgery and is back in his stall in Bob Baffert's barn.  At the moment, Gunnevera has the most points earned for the Kentucky Derby; but a lot of folks are talking about Malagacy's win this weekend in the Rebel Stakes.  Here's the list of the horses with the most points:  (1) Gunnevera,  (2) Mastery - out with broken leg, (3) Tapwrit, (4) J Boys Echo, (5) Malagacy, (6) Epicharis, (7) Girvin, (8) Mont Saint Legame, (9) Practical Joke, (10) Untapped, (11) Classic Empire, (12) El Areeb, (13) Gormley, (14) State of Honor, (15) McCraken, (16) Iliad, (17) Sonneteer, (18) Adirato, (19) Cloud Computing, (20) Wild Shot, (21) Caucus, (22) Guest Suite, (23) Petrov, (24) Lookin At Lee, (25) Term of Art, and (26) Uncontested.  Many more colts have ten points or less; Gunnevera, the leader, has 64; and only 20 colts will start in the Derby on 6 May.
   Spent part of yesterday listening to the House Intelligence Committee asking FBI Director Comey about the current administration and Russia...  Things are getting very interesting.